NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco apologized for his word selection in criticizing the NFL’s decision to hold next year’s Super Bowl in an outdoor stadium at a cold-weather site.

On Monday, Flacco was asked about the game being played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“Obviously, it was a poor choice of words,” he said. “At home, I have a close relationship with Special Olympics. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”

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Flacco would like nothing more than to return to the Super Bowl next year, even if it might be in freezing conditions for the first time. It’s in his home state to boot.

The fifth-year pro from Audubon, N.J., preparing for Sunday’s Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers, is not a fan of playing the next big game in East Rutherford.

“I think it’s obvious reasons,” Flacco said. “They’ve done it the way they’ve been doing it for 47 years. There’s a lot that goes into this game, more than just playing the game: It’s about the fans and it’s about the players that played for the right to get there. There are a lot of things that go into it and it’s just kind of a crazy decision, I believe.”

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NFL HONORS: Celebrity presenters for “NFL Honors,” the TV show featuring The Associated Press awards, will include Steve Carell and Channing Tatum.

The program will air Saturday night, Super Bowl eve, from 9-11 p.m. EST on CBS, which also is televising the game on Sunday.

The AP will present the league’s MVP, Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, and Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year during “NFL Honors.”

Actor Alec Baldwin will host the show, which will feature live performances from One Republic and New Orleans’ natives The Soul Rebels.

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NECKLACE? WHAT NECKLACE? 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about the “necklace” he wears on the sideline during games that includes a Sharpie. He seemed taken aback.

“Well I take great offense that you call it a necklace. It’s a whistle,” he said with a smile, drawing laughs from the media. “It’s a coaches’ whistle that coaches have long worn around their neck. I believe every coach should have a whistle. It’s hard to imagine going out to practice without a whistle.

“Then I just put a pen onto the whistle string. It’s not complicated at all. If I need a pen, it’s just right there.”

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MOSS WANTS MORE: Last week, the Ravens’ Ed Reed said he plans to be back for another season. On Tuesday, the 49ers’ Randy Moss said he wants to come back, too.

One of the first questions Moss was asked when the 49ers kicked off Super Bowl media day Tuesday was whether Sunday’s game would be the final one of his 14-year, five-team, potential Hall of Fame career.

“I’ve thought about it,” the 35-year-old Moss said, “I do want to play another year.”

Moss has seen limited playing time this season with 28 catches for 434 yards and three TDs, plus five catches for 71 yards in the playoffs.

The 34-year-old Reed promised to be “playing next year,” ending speculation he was about to call it a career. Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowler and probable Hall of Famer, is finishing his 11th season, and was one of only two players on the Ravens’ defense to start all 16 regular-season games. He has a club record 61 interceptions and the NFL-record of 1,541 yards in interception returns.

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NEVER TUCKERED OUT: Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was extremely patient telling every single person just how much it means to be an undrafted rookie in the Super Bowl.

Even the guy who asked him to answer a series of questions in hash tags, Twitter-style.

“In Twitter hash tags? All right, let’s try it out,” Tucker responded to the odd request in a day full of them.

DANCIN’ NINER: The 49ers’ podium move of the day goes to Vernon Davis. The tight end sat up straight in his seat and demonstrated longtime long-snapper Brian Jennings’ unique pregame ritual for the media day crowd. Davis crossed his arms in front of his face and fluttered them in a smooth, downward motion.

Yoga or tai chi, perhaps?

“It’s yoga, tai chi,” Davis said. “It’s weird, but it works for him.”

Davis’ pregame routine sounds rather boring in comparison: He eats lots of vegetables and a chicken breast.

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MARYLAND CONNECTION: The University of Maryland has produced several notable NFL quarterbacks, including Boomer Esiason, Frank Reich and Neil O’Donnell.

The quality of quarterbacks in College Park hasn’t been up to that standard lately, but there will be two Terrapins with solid hands playing in the Super Bowl.

Tight end Vernon Davis will start for San Francisco and wide receiver Torrey Smith is starting for Baltimore.

“He’s one of the greatest Terps,” Smith said of Davis. “He’s a great guy and we hang out in the offseason.”

This isn’t for bragging rights.

“We’re not really playing against each other since we’re on the same side of the ball,” Smith said. “And so, either way, the University of Maryland wins.”